Development of Tizu River in the pipeline

IWAI complets survey of waterway EMN Dimapur, April 4 The government is already working on developing Tizu river in Nagaland and tap its huge untapped economic, especially power and irrigation, potential. Development agencies and the central and state governmental agencies have surveyed the river. The Tizu River forms an important drainage system in the eastern part of Nagaland. It originates from the central part of the state and runs through a northeast direction flows through Zunheboto, Phek district and empties in the Chindwin River of Myanmar. The main tributaries of River Tizu are river Zunki, Lanye, and Likimro.It was informed on Saturday that after the ‘hydrographic survey,’ the river would be developed in phases till Laluri Tizu bridge and later on taking stretch from Laluri bridge to Avangkhu village. This was stated in a press release by Thomas Thailu, official of the Planning & Co-ordination Department on April 4. The government of India and the state government of Nagaland had a “viability study last year to develop the river Tizu in Nagaland for Inland Water Transport (IWT), purpose under centrally sponsored scheme,” the official stated. “The government of India is in the process to declare 101 National Waterways (NWs) for navigation which the country has huge untapped potential of rivers that will make positive impact on the socio-economic situation of the country, under which Tizu River is one of them which is much more cost effective compared to road and rail transportation”. Accordingly, a team comprising 20 people and officials from Inland Waterways Authority of India, from the state Planning & Co-ordination Department, Precision Survey Consultancy from Kolkata and local guides from Longmatra village and Laluri village undertook a hydrographic survey from Longmatra (0 KM) to Avangkhu (Burma border 35 kilometers), the press release stated. The team comprised of Supervisor of Inland Water Authority of India, KD Thongon, OSD for the department of Planning and Co-ordination Thomas Thailu, team leader of Precision Survey Consultancy Feroz Khan, local guides Paul Mutrong and Peter Tsolenmong of Longmatra village, Athanglow Jangri of Laluri village and Wetsiilo Venuh of Chizami village. The team started the survey in a rubber boat with the latest hydrographic instruments on March 29, 2015 from Longmatra in the morning and reached Burma international boundary, Avangkhu village on April 1 afternoon, the press release stated. “During the survey the team took ground and water level at different locations using Real Time kinematic system (RTK) velocity of current. The team also observed that the river has maximum depth of 5.00 m and minimum depth of 0.50 m and with meandering through the rocky hills on both sides. The team also encountered about 70 rapids of various categories which needs to be cleared for navigation purpose for 7 to 8 months in a year.” The team also identified few locations to set up terminals mainly at Longmatra village, Laluri Tizu bridge and downhill of Avangkhu village which can be taken up after the river is developed for IWT. The team headed back to Kohima from Avangkhu village on 2nd April 15 after taking water and bed-soil sample of river for testing. The surveyors briefed Parliamentary Secretary for Planning & Co-Ordination Neiba Kronu, and Advisor (political) to Chief Minister KG Kenye about the outcome of the tour and possibility to develop the river. Project Coordinator of the Planning & Co-Ordination department Dr. Vesapra Tinyi was present. The team proposed to develop the river in ‘phase manner’ first taking stretch till Laluri Tizu bridge and later on taking stretch from Laluri bridge to Avangkhu village.